Saints sign defensive back Keenan Lewis to five-year deal

March 15, 2013|Reuters

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Saints sign defensive back Keenan Lewis to five-year deal

Defensive back Keenan Lewis signed a five-year deal with his hometown New Orleans Saints on Thursday. The deal is worth $26.3 million with $10.5 million guaranteed, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

Lewis, a native of New Orleans, visited the Saints on Wednesday. The 26-year-old spent his first four NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and played in all 16 games each of the past two years.

"We are excited to be able to add a player of Keenan's ability to our defense," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in a statement. "He was a top free-agent target for us, and I know that he is very excited to be able to come home to play football."

Lewis led the AFC with 23 passes defensed last season. He added 71 tackles and a forced fumble.

"I'm very excited to be able to come back to my hometown," Lewis said. "Having grown up here, I understand the passion that the fans have for the Saints and I'm blessed to be able to have the chance to play in front of them here in the future."